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thank you, DaughterofVana, for the expert information on Greek drama
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Hehehehehehe. Two months in Theatre App. and I'm labeled an "expert." I've got you guys fooled, don't I? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Now. On effectiveness:
Mr. Underhill-
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Trusting in faith is a major theme of LotR, and within that context, the occasional DEM not only works but is more or less necessary to support the theme. The characters trust that good will, in some way that they can’t foresee or completely cause themselves, triumph over evil, and their faith is rewarded.
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This is a vote for the effectiveness of DEM, for it shows that higher powers (Vala, Eru) are pulling for Gandalf and co.--a reason why the Eagles keep showing up. Eru works in mysterious ways, I suppose. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Not saying that the Valar would just descend out of the West and appear in the eyries (the word you were searching for, I believe) of the Eagles and say "well, I think it's time for another pick-me-up for Gandalf."
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I think it is important, on the other hand, that the DEM doesn’t directly solve the characters’ most critical obstacles.
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Well said. This is where the DEM of Tolkien differs from that of the Greek. When Dionysos comes and fixes everything, that's it. No more story. There's basically a couple more lines of prose, the Chorus comes out and dances a bit, and then curtain (or whatever).
In that case, if one wants to get technical, the Eagles are a DEM-ish "nudge" in the right direction rather than a full-out, by-the-book example. They come because they are friends of Gandalf (and perhaps because of his staus as a servant of the "gods", I believe), but when they leave, there's still a Ring. There's still Sauron. There's still problems. And in that aspect, they don't really qualify as a "hard-core" example of DEM. And so, they're not "effective" in that aspect.
But effectiveness as a "DEM nudge"? Very much so. They help win the Battle of Five Armies. Gwahair rescues Gandalf (both times) effectively. They do what they were intended to do: get everyone back on the right track.
Argh. I think I'm confusing myself. Hopefully I didn't confuse anyone else.
-'Vana
PS: Thoughtful post, Lyta_Underhill! :raises glass: Welcome to the Downs!
[ February 27, 2003: Message edited by: DaughterofVana ]